State's Money Problems May Create A Detour To Outer Loop Plans

You must enter the characters with black color that stand out from the other characters

WAKE COUNTY — The state had planned to spend $2.5 billion to finish building Outer
Loops like I-540 in Raleigh, but critics say they have a better idea.

Rep. Paul Luebke (D-Durham) wants to spend half of the money to
maintain
the roads the state already has and spend the other half on mass
transit.

"My bill would allow the DOT to finish those sections where contracts have
already been let, but from now on, you would
not let more contracts, and the money would be
directed towards more appropriate
transportation needs," he says.

Some Triangle residents say the new Outer Loop will shorten their
commute.

"I think it will free up a lot of the frustration from bumper-to-bumper
traffic," says commuter Brian Wellons. "These secondary roads are stop
and go, and it's always congested, especially at rush hour. It'd be nice
to have a straight shot from here to there."

The DOT acknowledges the Outer Loops are overbudget and behind schedule,
but officials like Janet D'Ignazio say
they are just following a plan the
legislature spelled out in 1989.

"Really, it's the legislature's
call about how they want us to spend the money that's designated for the
Highway Trust Fund," she says.

If state lawmakers decide to divert the
Outer Loop money to maintenance and mass
transit, that is what the DOT will do. However, they warn scrapping
the construction now and coming back later will
only increase the tab.

Here is an update on the Outer
Loop:

The completed leg of Interstate 540 runs from I-40 to
Creedmoor Road. It was completed in December 2000.Total
cost: $140
million.

The next leg runs from Creedmoor to Falls of Neuse. It will be finished
later in May.Total cost: $38 million.

If the funding is not held up, the next leg runs from Falls of Neuse to
Highway 64. It should be completed in 2006.Total
cost: $194 million.

While that work is underway, crews will simultaneously work on a short
section from I-40 to Highway 55. It should be finished in
2003.Total cost: $43
million.

The southern leg of the Outer Loop is still just a plan, but officials
have not
even purchased rights of way. A complete Outer Loop would cost $608
million with a projected completion date of
2025.